Renting out property isn’t always smooth sailing. Sometimes it’s great. Other times, it’s a text at 2 a.m. about a leak, or a tenant swearing they mailed the rent. Most of the time, the tension comes from the same places. It’s not personal—it’s just poor communication, missing paperwork, or mismatched expectations.
Here’s a breakdown of the most common landlord-tenant disputes in Fort Lauderdale, and how to get ahead of them before they eat into your time, money, and sanity.
Key Takeaways
- Nearly 40% of renters push back on damage charges because they think it’s just wear and tear. Take photos, document everything.
- In 2024, 1 in 5 renters fell behind on rent at some point, so don’t skip the late fee clause and follow up every time.
- Over half of renters say no one explained how their deposit works, leading to fights later. Put it in writing. Go over it.
- Most noise and guest issues come from weak leases or no follow-up, not just bad tenants. You’ve got to lay down the rules and stick to them.
- Disputes usually come from missing paperwork or things you said but didn’t write down. If it’s not in writing, it doesn’t exist.
1. Security Deposit Disagreements
This one never gets old. Tenants move out. You find damage. They say it’s normal wear and tear. You say otherwise.
Roughly 40% of renters challenge move‑out damage charges, and 51% of renters report that deposit refund terms weren’t well communicated.
These misunderstandings usually start because:
- The lease doesn’t explain what counts as damage
- No photos or move-in checklist
- Tenants feel blindsided by deductions
How landlords can protect themselves
According to The Florida Senate, the state gives landlords up to 30 days to return a deposit (15 days if there’s no deduction). But if your process isn't clear and your documentation is weak, expect pushback.
The PMI Prime View Way: We handle security deposit agreements by taking move-in and move-out photos for every unit. Clean, clear, timestamped.
2. Late Rent or Nonpayment
Life happens. People miss rent. But when it happens too often, things go south. In 2024, 21% of renters across the U.S. were behind on rent at least once, based on the Federal Reserve’s 2025 report.
Late rent drama usually comes from:
- Tenants think there’s a grace period when there isn’t
- No clear late fee policy
- Payment methods that don’t work for both sides
The PMI Prime View Way: Florida landlords can give a 3-day notice to pay or leave. But if your records are a mess, it’s hard to back yourself up. We use online rent collection, so there's a digital trail for everything.
3. Maintenance Delays and Habitable Conditions
No one wants to deal with a broken A/C in the middle of a South Florida summer. Tenants can become frustrated quickly, especially if they feel their complaints are ignored.
Why does this become a dispute:
- Tenants don’t feel heard
- Landlords ignore “non-emergency” repairs for too long
- Tenants try to fix it themselves (and make it worse)
The PMI Prime View Way: We don’t wait until it becomes a complaint. Our team uses a 24/7 maintenance portal to track every issue, from the first report to the final fix.
4. Damage vs. Wear and Tear
After a tenant moves out, landlords often discover marks on the wall, scratched floors, or missing fixtures. The tricky part is deciding what’s expected and what’s excessive.
Here’s how to keep things simple:
- Do regular checkups during the lease
- Write out what counts as “normal wear” in the lease
- Use photos—lots of them
The PMI Prime View Way: Our team uses inspection reports throughout the lease, not just at the end, which helps resolve issues before they pile up.
5. Early Lease Termination or Eviction
Sometimes tenants leave without warning. Other times, landlords are forced to evict due to unpaid rent, unauthorized guests, or lease violations. Both situations are emotionally and financially draining.
What causes the fallout:
- Tenants break leases for personal reasons, like a job transfer or divorce
- Landlords enforce fees that weren’t clearly explained
- The eviction process is rushed or not done by the book
The PMI Prime View Way: We offer clear early termination policies and legal guidance to make sure everything is by the book and fair for both sides.
6. Noise Complaints and Neighbor Disputes
Loud music, barking dogs, and late-night parties. These are some of the fastest ways for a tenant to make enemies. And when the neighbors complain, it often lands on the landlord’s shoulders.
These disputes usually come down to:
- One side denies the noise
- No real evidence
- Overlap with HOA rules or city noise ordinances
The PMI Prime View Way: We help our clients by writing “quiet enjoyment” clauses into leases and communicating with both tenants and neighbors to keep the peace.
7. Unauthorized Pets or Roommates
“No pets” is in the lease. Two months later, you spot a Labrador in the backyard. Or someone new starts living there full-time.
To avoid the mess:
- Do quick exterior checks now and then
- Write guest and pet limits into the lease
- Pay attention to patterns, such as extra cars, full trash bins, and strange names on packages
The PMI Prime View Way: We enforce pet and guest rules consistently—no awkward conversations—just reminders of what was agreed.
8. Discrimination or Harassment Accusations
Fair housing complaints are a big deal, whether it’s real or just a misunderstanding. And they can cost you more than just money.
These things blow up when:
- You give vague or inconsistent reasons for denying applicants
- You don't have clear screening criteria
- You treat one tenant differently from another, even unintentionally
The PMI Prime View Way: We follow fair housing laws strictly. Everyone gets the same process. No exceptions.
9. Poor Communication and Missing Documentation
This one is at the heart of almost every other dispute. Whether it’s a verbal agreement that was never written down or a text thread that didn’t make it into the lease file, poor communication can cost you.
These issues show up when:
- Lease terms are too casual
- Maintenance isn’t logged properly
- Verbal agreements aren’t followed up in writing
The PMI Prime View Way: We rely on tech to track every interaction and document everything in one place. It protects everyone and creates accountability.
10. Rent Increases or Non-Renewal Disputes
Some tenants push back hard against increases, especially if they feel blindsided or think the hike is unfair.
To keep it smooth:
- Give 30-60 days’ notice
- Show the math, such as market computations, upgrades, and rising costs
- Offer value, even if the rent’s going up
The PMI Prime View Way: We help landlords navigate rent adjustments by conducting market analyses and offering data-backed advice to justify changes while keeping great tenants on board.
Final Thoughts
Most rental disputes don’t come out of nowhere. They build up from missed details, assumptions, or bad timing. Fix those, and your rental business runs a lot smoother.
At PMI Prime View, we’ve built our system to stop problems before they start. From rent to repairs to renewals, we keep things simple, documented, and stress-free.
If you’re a Fort Lauderdale property owner tired of dealing with these headaches alone, let’s talk. We make property management easy, because it should be. Visit our Residential Services page to schedule a consultation today!
FAQs
Do I have to pay interest on a security deposit in Florida?
Sometimes. If the deposit sits in a regular bank account with no interest, you’re off the hook. But if it’s in an interest-bearing account or you use a surety bond, then yeah, Florida law says you owe the tenant some of that interest—either 5% simple interest or 75% of what the account earns. You also have to send them a written notice saying where the deposit is and what kind of account it’s in.
How much notice do I have to give before entering the property?
Florida law says to give at least 12 hours’ notice. You’ve also got to show up at a “reasonable time,” usually between 7:30 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. No surprise visits. Even if it’s just to fix a leaky faucet, you need to let them know first. It’s not just about keeping the peace. It’s what the law requires.
Can I ever go in without notice?
Yes, but only in real emergencies. Fire, flooding, major damage—you don’t need permission to step in and deal with that. But if you’re checking on something routine or showing the place to a new tenant, you still have to give that 12-hour notice. Otherwise, you’re crossing a legal line.
